Why is the aloe plant sometimes called, "century old" in Russia?
The aloe plant, whose native land is in South and Central America, is well known to Russians, as many people grow them in their homes. The juice of the plant, contained in its fleshy leaves, is considered healing - it helps with a cold, and also helps to heal wounds. In Russia, the plant is called a century-old, although everyone knows its "real" name - aloe. It is believed that aloe from the family agave blossoms once in 100 years - hence the name. However, at home - in Mexico and in other hot countries of the American continent - aloe blossoms every few years. In colder countries, even in indoor conditions, aloe ripens after about 50 years, so that its flowering is really a rare phenomenon.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
9 Comments
situations
I found this question and answer really confusing. Firstly most Aloe plants are from Africa. Once they are mature they flower most years if not every year, so you cannot say an Aloe plant rarely blooms!
The answer mentions the Agave, which is a small subset of Aloe plants that are found in South and central America. The Agave is known as the century plant because it is monocarpic - it only flowers once when mature and then the parent plant dies. It sends up a huge flower stalk and produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of little plants called bulbils which can then be grown on.
Just to confuse matters further the photo used in the question is of the leaves of one of the true African Aloes and not one of an Agave! I live near Cape Town and have about a dozen different species of Aloes and 4 different types of Agave plants.
David Smith
Mine seem to flower often and stay in flower for some time.
Denise Currie
I have a couple of these, I keep one on the kitchen window ledge and use it if I burn myself when using the oven. Never seen one bloom though
Helga U. Williams
Wow, I did not even know that it grows in Russia in the wild. Learned something new. Thanks for the commentary!
👍
Mike Dove
Just as noted by CKL.
Gery Tillmanns
Lucky guess. It made sense to me anyway.
ursulajeankolb
Chrissy Krainock Luders, I thought the same; my aloe plants bloom every year.
ursulajeankolb
I don't know where "seldom blooms" came from my aloe plants bloom every winter/spring.
Chrissy Krainock Luders
Wrong answer. "In Russia more common name of the agave or century-old tree. It is not related to the period of life of culture, but rather, points to its extremely high therapeutic effect." From healthymax.org